Cuba Pre-Trip Planning · Master Checklist · 2026
Cuba Travel Checklist: 30 Things to Do Before You Fly
Documents, cash, flights, health prep, what to pack, what to download, what to research — everything you need to sort before you leave for Cuba, in the order you should sort it. Miss one of these and you’ll feel it on arrival.
Cuba Pre-Trip Checklist · 2026
Cuba Travel Checklist: 30 Things to Do Before You Fly
Every document, booking, download, and preparation you need sorted before you board. All 30 in one place.
Cuba is a trip that rewards preparation and penalizes the lack of it more than most destinations. The cash system is cash-only and ATMs are unreliable — if you arrive without enough, you’re stuck. The tourist card is required at check-in and you won’t board without it. US travelers need to understand the OFAC license framework before they fly, not on the plane. Medications you run out of may be impossible to replace in Cuba. The offline map you didn’t download becomes very relevant when you have no data.
None of this is difficult to sort out. It just requires doing it in advance. This checklist covers all 30 items, organized by category, with a short explanation of why each one matters and a link to the full guide wherever one exists. Print it, save it to your phone, or work through it category by category in the weeks before departure. The items at the top of each category are the most time-sensitive — the ones that require longest lead time or have consequences if skipped. Work from the top down.
Jump to category
30
items on this checklist — all of them matter
8
categories from documents to cultural prep
4–6
weeks ahead: when to start sorting the critical items
0
ATMs that reliably work for foreign tourists in Cuba
Start the Critical Items 4–6 Weeks Before Departure
Items 1–5 in the Documents section and items 7–9 in the Money section need sorting at least 4–6 weeks before you fly. Passport renewal takes time. Tourist card sourcing depends on your nationality and airline. Exchanging cash and organizing your travel insurance requires advance research. Everything in the Tech and Packing sections can be done the week before — but only if the first 15 items are already handled.
Documents & Legal — Items 1 to 6
The non-negotiables. Missing any of these means you may not board your flight.
01
Critical — 6 weeks ahead
Check your passport validity
Cuba requires your passport to be valid for the duration of your stay, and in practice most airlines require 6 months validity beyond your return date. Check this now — passport renewals in most countries take 3–6 weeks, and flying to Cuba with an expiring passport will end your trip at the check-in desk. While you’re at it, make 2 photocopies: one to carry separately from your passport, one to leave with someone at home.
02
Critical — Sort before booking flights
Get your tourist card (tarjeta del turista)
Cuba requires a tourist card for most nationalities — a pink card for most passport holders, a green card for US citizens. This is not a visa application; it’s a simple document you typically purchase from your airline at check-in, at the Cuban consulate, or sometimes through a pre-booking service online. The card is valid for 30 days and extendable to 60 days inside Cuba. Some airlines include it in the ticket price; others sell it at check-in. Know your route before you assume it’s included.
→ Full guide: Cuba Tourist Card 202603
Critical — US citizens only
Understand your OFAC license category (US travelers)
US citizens can legally travel to Cuba but must self-certify under one of 12 OFAC-authorized categories. The most commonly used is “Support for the Cuban People,” which requires staying at casas particulares (not state hotels), eating at private paladares, and engaging primarily with the private sector. This isn’t a formal application — you declare it when booking your flight — but you need to understand what it requires before you commit to a trip built around state hotels and government-run restaurants, which would conflict with the license. Keep receipts for 5 years.
→ Full guide: US Citizens Traveling to Cuba 202604
Important — 4 weeks ahead
Get a Cuba visa if your nationality requires one
Most Western passport holders only need the tourist card, not a formal visa. But some nationalities — certain African, Middle Eastern, and Asian passports — require a full consular visa application with advance processing time. Verify your specific passport with the Cuban consulate in your country before assuming the tourist card is all you need. The processing time for a full consular visa can be 2–4 weeks.
→ Full guide: Cuba Visa Guide 202605
Important — Before departure
Note your first accommodation address
Cuban immigration requires you to state where you’re staying on arrival. Your first night’s accommodation must be booked before you fly. Have the physical address (not just the booking confirmation name) accessible without internet when you clear immigration — that means written down or screenshotted offline. Hotel addresses are straightforward; casa particular addresses sometimes require the host to confirm the exact format Cuban immigration expects.
06
Good to Know
Check your government’s current Cuba travel advisory
Cuba sits at Level 2 (“Exercise Increased Caution”) on the US State Department list as of 2026. The UK and Canada have similar moderate advisories. No major government has issued a “do not travel” warning for Cuba. Read your government’s current advisory for the most current information, particularly around any civil unrest that may have occurred since this guide was last updated. It’s also worth knowing that consular assistance from the US embassy is very limited in Cuba — another reason travel insurance is important.
→ Full guide: Is Cuba Safe to Travel in 2026?
Money & Finance — Items 7 to 11
Cuba is cash-only for tourists. Get this category wrong and everything else suffers.
07
Critical
Bring enough cash from home — don’t plan to withdraw in Cuba
This is the most important financial preparation for any Cuba trip. Cuban ATMs for foreign tourists are effectively non-functional in 2026 — they exist and occasionally work, but they cannot be relied upon as a primary cash source. Bring all the cash you’ll need from home, plus a 20–30% buffer. A reasonable starting calculation: accommodation + food + transport + activities + tips for your trip duration, all in cash. For a 10-day trip, budget $700–1,000 minimum for independent travel, $400–600 if staying all-inclusive at a resort.
→ Full guide: Getting Cash in Cuba08
Critical
Bring EUR or CAD rather than USD if possible
USD has historically been subject to a 10% exchange penalty at official Cuban exchange points (CADECAs and banks), a legacy of US-Cuba financial restrictions. EUR and CAD don’t carry this penalty and exchange at more favorable rates. If you’re coming from the US and only have USD, it still works — but currency-exchange your USD to EUR before leaving home if this is practical. The exchange rate differential on a $1,000 cash trip represents $100, which pays for two decent paladar dinners.
→ Full guide: Cuba Budget Breakdown09
Important
Understand Cuba’s currency system before you arrive
Since the 2021 currency reform, Cuba operates on one currency: the Cuban peso (CUP). The old CUC (convertible peso) no longer exists. Tourists exchange hard currency (EUR, CAD, USD) for CUP at CADECAs or banks, ideally at the informal exchange rate used in the private sector. Understanding the difference between the official exchange rate and the informal rate, and where to exchange for the best deal, will save you meaningful money on a week-long trip. Your first exchange should be at a bank or CADECA — not at the airport where rates are worst.
→ Full guide: Is Cuba Actually Cheap?10
Important
Split your cash across different locations on your person
Don’t carry all your trip cash in one wallet. The sensible split: day spending in an accessible pocket, the rest of your daily budget in a money belt or hidden pocket, and your full emergency reserve in a completely separate location (locked bag in your room, separate inner pocket). Cuba’s petty theft risk is low, but it exists, and losing your entire trip budget because you kept it all in one place is avoidable. Use small bills for daily transactions — trying to pay for a 50 CUP croqueta with a large note creates friction everywhere.
11
Good to Know
Set aside a specific tip fund in small notes
Tipping is expected, culturally important, and genuinely significant at Cuban income levels. Budget $2–5 per day for tips across all interactions (casa breakfast, housekeeping, restaurant servers, guides, taxi drivers) and keep this as small denomination notes separate from your main spending cash. Nothing is more awkward than wanting to tip $2 and only having $20 bills. The logistics of tipping in Cuba, and who specifically to tip, are covered in the full guide.
→ Full guide: Tipping in CubaFlights & Arrival — Items 12 to 16
Getting there and the critical first 2 hours after landing
12
Critical
Book your flights with appropriate routing (especially US travelers)
There are no direct flights from the US mainland to Cuba. All US travel requires connecting through a third country — primarily Mexico (Cancún, Mexico City), the Bahamas (Nassau), or Canada (Toronto, Montreal). Even from other countries, direct Cuba connections are limited: UK travelers typically fly via Madrid or Cancún; Australian travelers via multiple connections. Understand your specific routing before booking, and check the reliability of any Cuban airline legs — Cubana de Aviación has had significant operational issues and foreign carriers are more reliable where available.
→ Full guide: How to Book Flights to Cuba13
Important
Compare flight prices against the cheapest month to go
Cuba flight prices vary significantly by season. December–March is peak (highest fares), July is busy, and September–November is the cheapest window — often 40–50% below peak prices on the same routes. If your travel dates are flexible, checking which month delivers the best combination of price and weather for your trip type is worth 20 minutes. The cheapest days to fly within any month are typically Tuesday and Wednesday. Booking 6–10 weeks ahead tends to hit the price sweet spot for most Cuba routes.
→ Full guide: Cheapest Month to Visit Cuba14
Important
Book your airport transfer from José Martí to your accommodation
Havana’s José Martí International Airport is about 20km from the city center. The taxi rank immediately outside arrivals is staffed by drivers who know they have a captive audience and price accordingly — expect quotes of $40–50 for a ride that should cost $25–30 negotiated. The smart move: arrange a transfer in advance through your casa particular host (they almost always know a reliable driver and the fair rate), or walk one block from the terminal before flagging a cab to get out of the airport premium zone.
→ Full guide: Havana Airport to City15
Good to Know
Understand how to get around Cuba between cities
Cuba has no Uber, no reliable public bus for tourists, and car rental that’s limited and expensive. The main inter-city options are Viazul buses ($10–51 depending on route), taxi colectivos (shared taxis, similar price, faster), and private taxis (significantly more expensive but more flexible). Within Havana, colectivos, bicitaxis, and walking are your primary tools. Know your inter-city legs before you arrive — booking the Viazul bus from Havana to Trinidad, for example, should happen on your first day in Havana, not the morning you plan to leave.
→ Full guide: Getting Around Cuba16
Good to Know
Book Viazul bus tickets for popular routes if traveling in peak season
The Havana–Trinidad bus sells out 3–4 days ahead in December–March and July. The Havana–Santiago overnight bus fills up quickly year-round. If your itinerary depends on specific inter-city bus dates, either book through viazul.com before you arrive (the website is unreliable but functional) or walk to the Viazul terminal on your first day in Havana and buy your forward tickets immediately. Don’t leave this until the morning of departure in high season.
→ Full guide: Viazul Bus Cuba“The three things that cause the most stress on Cuba trips: not having enough cash, not having the tourist card, and arriving at the Viazul terminal to find the bus to Trinidad sold out. All three are preventable with one afternoon of advance planning.”
Accommodation — Items 17 to 19
Where you stay shapes your Cuba experience more than most destinations
17
Critical
Book your first night before you fly — immigration requires an address
Cuban immigration requires you to state your accommodation address on the entry form. Your first night must be pre-booked — immigration officers do sometimes verify this. Beyond the legal requirement, arriving in Havana with nowhere to stay means negotiating accommodation when you’re tired and jet-lagged, which is when you’re most likely to pay more than you should. Book your first 2–3 nights minimum before departure; adjust the rest of your itinerary once you’re there and have a better feel for your pace.
→ Full guide: Casa Particular Cuba18
Important
Decide: casa particular, hotel, or all-inclusive resort
The accommodation decision in Cuba is more consequential than in most countries. Casas particulares (private home stays, $25–65/night) give you the most authentic experience, better local connections, included breakfast, and the most useful travel advice — your host knows the city better than any guidebook. Mid-range hotels ($60–120) offer more predictable facilities. All-inclusive resorts (primarily Varadero and the cayos) make sense for families or beach-focused travelers. US travelers using “Support for the Cuban People” must stay at casas, not state hotels.
→ Full guide: Casa vs Hotel Decision19
Good to Know
Understand what to expect when you arrive at a casa particular
Cuban casas are very different from Airbnbs in the Western sense. The host will want to see your passport and tourist card immediately on arrival (they’re legally required to register foreign guests). Payment is almost always cash upfront or daily. Rules around noise, guests, and curfew vary by casa — knowing the etiquette in advance prevents awkward first-evening misunderstandings. Also: casa bathrooms often have pressure issues and not all casas provide hot water reliably — shower early in the day if this matters to you.
→ Full guide: Cuban Casa Etiquette & Rules
Health & Insurance — Items 20 to 22
Cuba requires health insurance. Sort this before anything else medical-adjacent.
20
Critical — Buy before a named storm forms (hurricane season)
Purchase travel insurance with Cuba-specific medical coverage
Cuba requires proof of valid travel health insurance for entry — immigration officers verify this. If you don’t have it, you’ll be required to purchase a Cuban policy at the airport ($3–5 per day, basic coverage). For meaningful coverage — medical evacuation, trip cancellation, weather disruption — purchase a proper policy before you travel. US citizens: US-issued health insurance almost never covers Cuba; you need a separate travel policy. If traveling in hurricane season (June–November), buy before any storm is named to ensure weather cancellation is covered.
→ Full guide: Best Travel Insurance for Cuba21
Critical — 4 weeks ahead
Pack all medications you might need — you cannot source them in Cuba
Cuba’s pharmacy system is severely constrained by the ongoing economic situation. Standard over-the-counter medications you’d expect to find anywhere (ibuprofen, antihistamines, antidiarrheal tablets, antiseptic cream, specific prescription medications) are frequently unavailable or unreliably stocked in Cuban pharmacies. Pack every medication you use or might use — including a first aid kit, prescription medications for the full duration of your trip plus a buffer, and anything you take for chronic conditions. Carry medications in your carry-on luggage, not checked bags.
→ Full guide: Medications to Bring to Cuba22
Important — 4–6 weeks ahead
Consider travel vaccinations
Cuba doesn’t require proof of vaccination for entry (COVID requirements were dropped in 2022 and haven’t returned). However, the following vaccinations are recommended by most travel health clinics for Cuba: Hepatitis A (via food and water), Hepatitis B (if any medical procedures are possible), Typhoid (food and water), and a current Tetanus/Diphtheria booster. Rabies is worth considering for travelers doing rural activities. None of these are mandatory; all require a few weeks to take effect and some require multiple doses. See a travel health clinic 4–6 weeks before departure.
Tech & Connectivity — Items 23 to 25
Cuba’s internet is functional but limited. Prepare for offline much more than you’re used to.
23
Critical — Download before you leave
Download offline maps for Cuba
The most important tech preparation for a Cuba trip. Maps.me covers Cuba comprehensively (streets, points of interest, public transport routes) and works completely offline with no data connection. Google Maps has significantly less offline functionality in Cuba. Download your Cuba maps packages to Maps.me before you leave — you cannot rely on streaming map data in Cuba, especially in residential neighborhoods where wifi hotspots are sparse and data signal drops. Also screenshot or save the specific addresses of every place you’re visiting in the first few days.
24
Important
Plan your internet strategy: Etecsa SIM, wifi hotspots, or eSIM
Cuba’s mobile internet is available to tourists through Etecsa SIM cards, purchasable at the airport on arrival and at Etecsa offices in cities. A tourist data package runs $20–30 and gives you 3G/4G data in urban areas. Coverage in rural and provincial areas is limited. The alternative — using Etecsa wifi hotspot scratch cards in public parks — is cheaper but inconvenient and requires being near a hotspot. eSIM options for Cuba are emerging in 2026; check current availability for your phone model before departure.
→ Full guide: Internet in Cuba 202625
Good to Know
Set up WhatsApp and download offline content before you leave
WhatsApp is how Cuba communicates. Paladares, casa hosts, taxi drivers, tour guides, and cooking class instructors all use WhatsApp for booking confirmations and communication. Make sure it’s installed and working before departure. Beyond communication: Cuba’s power cuts and limited streaming capability mean offline entertainment matters. Download podcasts, music, e-books, and any films you want for long bus journeys and potential power cut evenings. The Havana–Santiago overnight bus is 13 hours — plan accordingly.
Packing — Items 26 to 28
Cuba is accessible carry-on only — but a few specific items are non-negotiable
26
Critical
Pack a portable power bank — power cuts are real
Cuba’s energy crisis means power cuts (apagones) affect residential areas regularly in 2026. A portable power bank ensures your phone (maps, WhatsApp, camera) stays charged regardless of what’s happening with the grid. Bring the largest capacity permitted on your flight (typically 20,000–26,800 mAh in carry-on) and consider a small solar charging panel if you’ll be in the countryside for extended periods. This is not the item to skip to save bag weight.
→ Full guide: What to Pack for Cuba27
Important
Pack sun protection in substantial quantities
Cuba sits close to the equator (20–23°N) with UV indices that hit extreme levels in summer months. SPF 50+ sunscreen in large quantities is essential, especially for beach-focused trips — and Cuban resort shops stock it at high prices in limited brands. A UV-protective sun hat and UV-rated sunglasses are not optional extras. If you’re doing outdoor activities (hiking, horseback riding, cycling), add sun-protective long sleeves for midday coverage. This matters for adults as much as children.
28
Good to Know
Check Cuba’s customs rules — some items are restricted or worth bringing
Cuba allows tourists to bring in reasonable quantities of personal medications, food items for personal use, and electronics for personal use. Professionally useful items (large camera equipment, laptops for professional use) may attract customs attention. On the way out: you can bring rum (typically 3 bottles duty-free depending on destination country), cigars, and hand-crafted souvenirs. Items to not bring in: anything suggesting commercial quantities, political material, or drone equipment without the correct paperwork. Verify current regulations before packing anything unusual.
→ Full guide: Cuba Customs RulesResearch & Cultural Preparation — Items 29 to 30 (but really, the whole section)
The preparation that turns a good trip into a great one — the stuff that takes an afternoon
29
Important — 1 week before
Learn 30–40 Spanish words and phrases
Cuba’s tourism workforce, particularly in casa particulares and local restaurants, has variable English. A few dozen Spanish words will transform your trip — not fluency, just enough to order food confidently, navigate directions, and connect briefly with people you meet. The words that matter most: numbers (crucial for negotiating prices), food vocabulary (menu navigation), transport terms (left/right/stop), greeting phrases, and a few polite expressions that Cubans visibly appreciate hearing from a foreign visitor. One afternoon with a language app covers this.
→ Full guide: 40 Spanish Phrases for Cuba30
Important
Read the current Cuba travel situation before you go
Cuba in 2026 is meaningfully different from Cuba in 2019, 2015, or any year your existing guidebook was written. The energy situation, the currency reform, the accommodation landscape, what the streets of Havana look like — all of these have changed. Spending one hour reading a current update specifically about what Cuba is like for visitors in 2026 will save you from arriving with expectations calibrated to a different version of the country.
→ Full guide: Cuba Travel News 2026Additional Research Worth Doing Before You Leave
Beyond the 30 items above, invest an afternoon in reading about the specific places you’re visiting. If Havana is on your itinerary: the complete Havana first-timers guide. If Trinidad: the Trinidad Cuba travel guide. If Viñales: the Viñales valley complete guide. Research 3–4 paladares in each destination you’re visiting and save their WhatsApp numbers. Read the tourist traps guide and the Cuba travel scams guide. None of this takes more than 2–3 hours and it materially improves the trip.
The one thing this checklist can’t do
It can’t prepare you for how Cuba actually feels when you get there. The chaos at the CADECA exchange line. The mojito that costs 50 cents from a man who makes them out of his kitchen window. The view from the Malecón at sunset when Havana turns gold. The way a good paladar dinner feels when you’ve eaten cheaply and well and the food is actually excellent.
But the checklist handles the logistics so none of the above gets derailed by arriving without a tourist card, running out of cash in Viñales, or spending a day in a pharmacy trying to find ibuprofen.
Do the boring preparation. Have the extraordinary experience. That’s what this checklist is for.
